Drain and discard marinade. Place fillets on a broiler pan. Broil* 3-4 inches from the heat for 10 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle with paprika.

*Can also be cooked on an outdoor grill for easy kitchen clean up

Cheesy Crab Burritos

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine a package of softened cream cheese and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl. Stir in a flaked package of imitation crabmeat. Spoon down the centre of 8 flour tortillas. Roll up tightly and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with salsa.

In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of regular rolled oats (or whatever type of oats you have on hand), 1/4 cup of almond meal (or another nutmeal of your choice), 1/2 cup of finely chopped mixed nuts and 1 cup of coconut flakes. Stir in 1/2 tsp of allspice and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Add 1 cup of dried fruit/chocolate chips/berries (I usually do 1/3 cup of each but if you truly want no-sugar, skip the chocolate chips). Stir. Make sure the dried fruit do not stick together in big batches.In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup of canola oil (or oil of your choice), 3 mashed banana and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined.

Take a large cookie cutter and press spoonfuls of the batter into it. Remove cookie cutter. Or simply form balls with your hands and flatten slightly. Bake for about 20 minutes.

***Applesauce or 2 eggs could be subbed for mashed bananas, if you prefer***

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine 2 lbs of ground beef, an envelope of onion soup mix, and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. Mix well. Shape into 8 3/4 inch patties. Grill, uncovered, or broil 4 inches from the heat for 5-6 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, take apart a tube of large refrigerated biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with an 1/8 tsp of seasoning salt. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Split. Top each biscuit with a hamburger.

5-Can Chili Topping

Combine a can of chili with beans, a drained can of mixed vegetables, a drained can of whole kernel corn, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of green chilies in a pot. Heat through.

Baked Potatoes (4 Methods – Pick the one that works best for your schedule!)

Rub potatoes with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and prick them with the tines of a fork.

The original method for (crispy skins): Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lay potatoes directly on the rack or place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

The traditional method (soft skins): Preheat oven to 435 degrees. Wrap potatoes in tin foil. Lay potatoes directly on the rack or place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

The quickest method (soft skins): Place potatoes in a glass dish and microwave for 5 minutes. Turn over and microwave another 3-5 minutes.

The working-girl method (soft skins): Wrap potatoes in tin foil and place in slow cooker. Cook on low for low for 8-10 hours.

Top with chili, sour cream, chives or green onions, cooked and crumbled bacon, and cheddar cheese.

Broiled Chicken Cordon Bleu

Place 4 chicken breasts on the rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 3 minutes. Turn and broil 3 minutes on the other side. Brush with 1/4 cup of melted butter. Continue turning and basting about 4 minutes.

Place a slice of deli meat on each chicken breast. Broil for 1-2 minutes. Spread 1 Tbsp of honey mustard dressing over each. Top with a slice of deli cheese. Broil for 30 seconds.

Note: You can do them all the same if you want, as in all with ham and Swiss, for example. I like to make them all different so it feels like a different meal when we reheat leftovers the next day. Plus, I prefer stronger flavored cheeses, like sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, while my boyfriend prefers milder ones, like mozzarella and Swiss. With a variety to choose from, it kind of feels like we went out for dinner at a restaurant!

Drain and discard marinade. Place steaks on a greased broiler pan. Broil 4 inches from the heat for about 4 minutes on each side. Serve with mixed vegetables and rice or baked potatoes.

Cheese Wedges

Cut a package of extra sharp cheddar cheese into 1/2 inch slices. Cut each slice in half diagonally. Combine 1/3 cup of seasoned dry bread crumbs and 1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes in a shallow bowl. [Note: You can omit crushed red pepper flakes if you don’t like spice.] Beat an egg in another bowl. Dip cheese triangles into egg, then in crumb mixture.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes. Serve cheese wedges warm with pizza sauce for sipping.

Strawberry Banana Shakes

Place 2 Tbsp of milk, 1/2 cup of strawberry ice cream, and 1/2 firm banana (sliced) in a blender. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and a strawberry, if desired.

SHOPPING LIST:

Extra sharp cheddar cheese (9 oz)

4 thin slices of deli cheese (I got one Swiss, one mozzarella, one Monterey Jack, and one cheddar)

Cut a 3 to 3.5 lb beef brisket in half and place half in a slow cooker. Combine 1 cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of grape jelly, an envelope of onion soup mix, and 1/2 tsp of pepper in a bowl. Spread half over meat in slow cooker. Top with the second half of the brisket and then the rest of the ketchup mixture.

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Slice brisket and serve with cooking juices. The leftovers are great zapped in the microwave as well as made into a roast beef sandwich with a little mayo.

Artichoke Chicken

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and chop a can of water-packed artichoke hearts. Combine artichokes, 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 3/4 cup of mayonnaise, and a dash of garlic powder in a bowl. Place 4 chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Spread with artichoke mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes.

Place a package of sourdough pretzel nuggets in a glass bowl. Combine 2/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/3 of sugar, and 2 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour over pretzels and toss to coat. Microwave, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave 3-4 minutes longer, stirring after each minute. Cool to room temperature.

Note: It is sometimes hard to find sourdough pretzel nuggets. Regular pretzels can be used instead. One time I cut up sourdough bread into bite-sized pieces and toasted it before tossing with the oil, sugar, and cinnamon.

a) Zap a tortilla in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Scoop chili mixture onto tortillas and wrap up burrito-style! Add any leftover vegetables, beans, cheese, or toppings you have lying around, if you want to. It’s good with just the chili mixture too though!

b) Beat 2 eggs with a splash of milk. Spoon a couple scoops of chili mixture into a coated pan or a non-stick egg pan. After 30 seconds, pour the egg mixture on top. Do not touch it for one minute. Flip it over. If you have any leftover cheese, add it at this stage. Let cook for another mixture. Use your flipper to fold it in half and slide onto the plate.

Swiss Tuna Bake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 4 cups of cooked egg noodles, 1 1/2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese, 1 cup of mayonnaise, and a can of drained and flaked tuna in a large bowl. Spread 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs into a greased baking dish. Spread noodle mixture over crumbs. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup more of seasoned bread crumbs. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Tangy Pork Tenderloin

Place 2 1lb pork tenderloins in a large Ziplock bag or shallow glass container. Combine 2/3 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp of chili powder, and 1/4 tsp of salt in a bowl. Set aside 2/3 cup. Pour remaining marinade over pork. Turn to coat. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, turning occasionally.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill pork, covered, over indirect medium heat for 8-9 minutes on each side. Warm the reserved sauce in a pot and serve with pork.

Beat 2 eggs with a dash of water. Stir eggs into the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and add a pinch of garlic powder, 1/4 tsp of oregano, and a little fresh ground pepper. Using a spatula, stir the eggs until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the feta. Divide the eggs between two English muffins and eat hot.

Clam Chowder

Combine a can of cream of celery soup, a can of cream of cheddar cheese soup, a can of cream of onion soup, 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, and 3 cups of half-and-half cream. Cook over medium heat until heated through. Add 2 cans of drained chopped clams and heat through. Do not boil! The clams will lose their texture if it cooks for too long.

Maple Barbecued Chicken

Combine 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce, 3/4 cup of maple pancake syrup, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of maple flavoring in a bowl and mix well. Remove 3/4 cup to a small bowl for serving. Cover and refrigerate. Slice 1/2 a red onion into rings.

Peel and chop 2 avocados. Place in a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of lemon juice. Add 1/4 cup of salsa, 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Mash coarsely with a fork. Refrigerate until serving. Eat with tortilla chips.

2 10-oz cans of diced tomatoes and chilies (you may have to buy tomatoes and green chilies separately if you can’t find together)

2 cans of whole kernel corn

Can of black beans

Cheddar cheese

Sour cream

5 peaches

Raisins

Eggs (Save 1 whole egg and 4 egg whites for next week)

Unsweetened applesauce (Save 1/2 cup for next week)

[Also needed: soy sauce, lemon juice, chili sauce, ginger root]

Breakfast: Eggs and applesauce

Lunch: Soup and a peach

Dinner: Turkey casserole or shrimp pasta

Fast Fiesta Soup

Combine 2 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes and chilies, a can of drained whole kernel corn, and a can of drained and rinsed black beans in a pot. Heat through. Garnish bowl with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream, if you want.

Apricot Turkey Casserole

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice according to package directions. Place in an ungreased baking dish. Place 1 1/2 lbs of turkey parts in a hot skillet with a bit of oil or butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and any other spices you like with poultry. Sear for 5 minutes on each side. Place on top of rice. Drain a can of whole kernel corn and pour on top of turkey. Combine 2 jars of apricot preserves and an envelope of onion soup mix. Pour on top of turkey and rice. Bake for 15-30 minutes or until turkey is fully cooked. (Time will vary depending on what kind of turkey pieces you chose. Breasts take longer than wings, for example)

Cook 1 lb ground beef over medium heat in a pot. Drain. Add can of condensed tomato soup, a can of chili beans in gravy, and 3 tsp of chili powder. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water if you like your chili thinner.

Add 1 or 2 small cubed zucchinis, a cubed yellow summer squash, and 1/2 a chopped onion. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in a 14 1/2 oz can of stewed tomatoes. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve over rice or pasta.

Mushroom Bacon Bites

Wash 24 mushrooms. Never submerge mushrooms in water – they’ll absorb too much water and become mushy. Just rinse in cold water and dry with paper towel just before using. Cut 12 bacon strips in half. Wrap each mushroom with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Thread onto metal or soaked bamboo skewers. Brush with 1 cup of BBQ sauce.